Boris Johnson's resignation as Prime Minister has triggered a leadership race in the Conservative Party and the runners and riders are preparing to launch their bids.
A number of Tory MPs have already thrown their hats into the ring for what is expected to be a crowded field to be next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
One of the names that is regularly mentioned is current Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
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He is the early frontrunner, according to many bookmakers, with some offering odds as low as 9/4 on him getting the leadership, while another firm reported more than half of all bets in that market had been placed on the MP for Wyre and Preston North.
The latest YouGov poll also regards him as the favourite.
The Defence Secretary is thought to have significant support among Westminster colleagues who like his straight-talking and straightforward approach, though he does not have the cross-departmental experience of his rivals.
Here's all you need to know about Ben Wallace:
What role does he currently hold?
Ben Wallace was one of Boris Johnson's first appointments when he became Prime Minister back in 2019. He gave him the Defence Secretary role which he has held since July 2019.
He replaced fellow Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt who was initially left out of Johnson's government.
The Johnson loyalist, who served in the Scots Guards, remains a key voice in the UK's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and this increased exposure could assist any leadership bid.
What is his political history?
If Ben Wallace runs and succeeds to become the next Prime Minister then he would have a number of huge issues to deal with in his first weeks in charge.
One big issue will be how he deals with the Scottish independence question and unlike other Prime Ministers of old he has some experience of politics at Holyrood.
He was a Tory MSP in the Scottish Parliament from 1999 to 2003 where he represented the North East region. Wallace was the party's health spokesperson during that time.
Did he vote for Brexit?
Ben Wallace voted Remain in the Brexit referendum. Following the result of the vote he took to Twitter to tweet: "As a remainer I am of course gutted by the result. But it is now my duty to make sure the UK thrives in the world and stays together."
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